Launched in 2016, the Barastoc Junior Squad aims to teach, inspire and guide young equine enthusiasts. The squad program assists young riders in gaining the experience needed to support a commercial sponsorship in adulthood, if it is desired or needed, as well as provide a solid understanding of feeding their horses. Each year Barastoc welcomes 20-30 new young riders to be part of the team.
Here, we catch up with current Barastoc Junior Squad member Amelie Taylor…
I am 16 years old. I started riding at 4, at Pony Club and on the farm. I used to insist on wearing fancy dress costumes and I refused to face forwards. I started vaulting at 12, where fancy dress costumes and moving around are encouraged. I have two horses that I currently compete on and a young horse who is about to start his vaulting training:
Haste is an eleven year old Thoroughbred x Belgium Draft x Clydesdale. Haste was bred at Lyndhurst Stud at Warrick as part of their foster mare program.
SR Nightfire is a seven year old Warmblood by MSJ Nemo out of Jaime R (Jive Magic x Regardez Moi).
Santiago was also bred at Lyndhurst Stud from the same as Haste.
Big goals
My goal is to be selected to represent Australia at the FEI 2027 Junior World Championships in Italy. Earlier this year I competed at CVI Ermelo in the Netherlands and CVI Lier in Belgium where I achieved qualifying scores.
Favourite memories
My favourite memory was the Great Southern CVI in Sydney during 2025 where Haste and I competed in our first CVI together. It was Haste’s first ever vaulting competition and he had only started vaulting training four months earlier. I was so proud of him; we placed first and qualified for CVI2*.
Aspirational riders
I look up to the Nexus team who are based in Sydney. Nexus is representing Australia at the FEI World Championships in Aachen during August. They are so inspiring and I wish them the best of luck at Aachen.
I also admire Ginger Kennett and Bronagh Miskelly who are Australia’s CVI3* vaulters competing at the FEI World Championships in August. Vaulting is a small sport and what they have achieved has taken a lot of hard work, determination and dedication. It’s amazing to be able to go to competitions and watch them compete.
Dream horse
I would vault on Christina Ender’s Gozer, who I was able to compete on at CVI Ermelo and CVI Lier. Gozer was incredibly reliable and the best horse I could have hoped for.
Supported by Barastoc
I love most how it draws me into the wider equestrian community. Vaulting in Australia is quite small and sometimes I can feel quite isolated, being a part of the Junior Squad gives me a connection to other young riders in the wider equestrian community. I also love learning from all the experts during the monthly zoom calls.
My horses are fed Barastoc Fibre-Beet, Speedi-Beet and Barastoc Supreme. At the moment in the colder weather, they love having warm Fibre-Beet mash at night.
Find out more about the Barastoc Junior Squad; 2026/27 Junior Squad applications are opening soon.
